7 Kenyan Startups Make the Cut for DEMO Africa Launch Pad Shortlist

DEMO Africa, a LIONS@FRICA initiative that seeks to create new opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa by providing a platform designed to inspire and challenge African innovators and entrepreneurs, has today unveiled a list of 35 companies that have been shortlisted from a pool of 956 applications from 29 African countries that will undergo the final vetting to launch their products at this year’s launch event in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 35 companies are spread over 10 countries with South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya taking a lead, where South Africa produced 10, Nigeria 9 and Kenya 7. Ghana and Zimbabwe produced 2 each and 1 from Botswana, Cameroun, Egypt, Senegal and Uganda. DEMO Africa says that these startups will undergo a due diligence process out of which 26 startups will make it to the final in addition to 4 other startups, picked from the regional Innovation tours that ran between March and July.

“We received a total of 956 applications this year, which is about 20% more than last year,” said Harry Hare, Executive Director and Producer of DEMO Africa. The applications covered all major verticals – health, agriculture, trade and commerce, manufacturing, hospitality and entertainment, banking and finance. “We are very pleased with the applications received, the diversity and quality is amazing,” Harry continued.